A recent article in the New York Times indicates a renewed interest in the learning value of block building. Parents and teachers attending block classes are discovering the connections between learning and play. What's the buzz about? Read our take on this hot topic...

When you hear the words "educational toys" chances are you think at once of drill and practice toys that are about as entertaining as chalk squeaking on a board. We know that play itself is one of the important paths to various kinds of learning. Read More...

If you're in the sandbox zone with your kids, take a look at these two new collections of toy trucks. We love both the new lightweight Monster Dirt Diggers from Little Tikes - it has a cool sideways dumping action and a working excavator...great fun at the beach or in the backyard. We also love the realistic look of Fisher-Price Steel Force Trucks (they come in two sizes). Take a look at our video.

Of the dozens of books that recently arrived at our office, here are some gems that are truly memorable. Books that you won' t mind reading and re-reading again and again! Click here to read our reviews.

Stephanie shared some of the early front runners for top toys of 2010 on NBC's TODAY Show on Friday, March 5th. Click here to watch the segment. After attending the American International Toy Fair in New York last month, the toyportfolio.com kicks into gear for a new season of toy testing with their testers throughout the country. As the toys start rolling in, we'll be posting reviews as we go- rather than making consumers wait until the end of the year. Toys that receive an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award during the Spring and Summer, will be nominated for the year-end Platinum Awards. Read Stephanie's blog for a preview of some promising toys.